Canada’s Maple Leaf Flag

Flags fly at Saskatoon WDM, January 2015R. Bitner Photo

As a grade eight student at the time, I remember the lively debate
about a new Canadian flag. Some of us liked the new Maple Leaf flag
while others wanted to keep the Red Ensign. We proudly displayed our
flag of choice on our desks. -
R. Bitner

Unfurled on
Parliament Hill at noon on February 15, 1965, the new flag replaced the
Canadian Red Ensign which, although commonly flown in Canada, had never
been the country’s official flag.

Red Ensign on the cover of the program for Saskatoon’s celebration of
Canada’s 60th anniversary in 1927.From the WDM collection, WDM-2010-S-126

Controversy surrounded the need for a new flag. The Great Flag Debate as
it was known, pitted Liberal Prime Minister Lester Pearson who
introduced the idea, against Progressive Conservative leader John
Diefenbaker who advocated a flag that included symbols of Canada’s
British and French heritage.

Legislation approving the maple leaf design finally passed in October,
1964. The new flag became Canada’s official flag on February 15, 1965.